DES MOINES, IOWA (February 28, 2019) — Culinary and restaurant management students from Hampton-Dumont and Des Moines Central Campus were crowned the 2019 Iowa ProStart Invitational Champions. They competed with high school students from across the state in an event hosted by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The invitational was held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on Tuesday, February 26. The teams could compete in both culinary and restaurant management events. The winners of both categories will represent Iowa in Washington DC, on May 8-10, when they face off against winning teams from across the country for the national title as well as for scholarships.
“Top Chef” Style Culinary Competition
Culinary teams were given 60 minutes to prepare a three-course meal using only two butane burners. Teams then presented their dishes to a panel of industry professional judges to taste and critique. Their cooking techniques, knife skills, sanitation and teamwork were also evaluated.
Winners of the culinary competition included:
1st place — Hampton-Dumont
2nd place — Waterloo West High School
3rd place — Davenport Community Schools
Management Competition
Management teams were challenged to create an original restaurant concept. They wrote business proposals and then pitched their concepts to a panel of Iowa restaurant industry professionals who posed as potential investors and judged their business plans, teamwork, presentation skills and critical thinking abilities.
Winners of the management competition included:
1st place — Des Moines Central Campus
2nd place — Hampton-Dumont
3rd place — Davenport Community Schools
ProStart — Equal Parts Hands-On Culinary Training and Entrepreneurial Education
ProStart® is a nationwide, career and technical education program that develops high school students into tomorrow’s leaders and workforce. Similar to the AP model in other academic areas, it includes national certification exams, grants post-secondary credits and an industry-recognized credential. It’s equal parts entrepreneurial/management education and hands-on culinary arts training. ProStart students learn practical skills, build business savvy, and develop leadership abilities in the classroom so they can walk into the real world ready to make an impact in the hospitality industry and beyond.
Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation (IRAEF)
The IRAEF is the leading education resource for the development of a professional and highly-skilled hospitality workforce in the state of Iowa, building connections between educational entities and industry employers seeking trained, qualified students and job candidates.
